Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit
The Malta Hunting Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit is the lightest full body harness in the Malta Hunting line, built by Malta Dynamics, LLC of Malta, Ohio, the same manufacturer behind its industrial fall protection harnesses. At just over 2 lb, with breathable padding at the back, shoulders, and legs, 1 in webbing, and aluminum quick-connect chest and leg buckles, it is the harness for mobile hunters who walk in far, climb often, and want to forget they are wearing fall protection until the moment it matters.
Rated for hunters up to 300 lb, the Ultralight was tested by Intertek to ASTM F2337-20, the Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems, arresting a 220 lb test torso dropped 72 in at a maximum arrest force of 1,784 lbf, and it survived the dynamic strength drop with a 350 lb torso. Each kit ships with the harness, a 2 in wide tree strap, and a 1 in suspension relief strap that doubles as a deer drag. Choose Forest Green, TrueTimber Kanati, TrueTimber Strata, or TrueTimber Shadowbark, and use the sizing chart to match your height, weight, and waist to S-M, L-XL, 2XL, or 3XL.
| Size | Waist Measurement |
|---|---|
| S-M | 22 in to 46 in |
| L-XL | 26 in to 49 in |
| 2XL | 30 in to 52 in |
| 3XL | 30 in to 53 in |
X-Large
Medium
Size bands overlap on purpose. S-M fits roughly 4'10" to 5'8" and 130 to 180 lb with a 22 to 46 in waist. L-XL fits 4'10" to 6'2" and 160 to 240 lb with a 26 to 49 in waist. 2XL fits 5'2" to 6'8" and 190 to 280 lb with a 30 to 52 in waist. 3XL fits 5'6" to 6'8" and 260 lb up to the 300 lb capacity with a 30 to 53 in waist. Measure the waist over the clothing you will hunt in. TrueTimber Shadowbark is offered in S-M and 2XL only.
Who Needs This Product
The Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit is the wearable fall arrest system for hunters who move: public-land hunters who walk a mile or more to a set, mobile hang-on and climbing stand hunters who hang and pull a stand every sit, early-season bowhunters who hunt in a T-shirt and cannot stand a hot, heavy harness, and anyone who has left a bulky harness in the truck because it was too much trouble. It is the right choice over the Hunter's Elite when you count ounces, want aluminum instead of steel hardware, and do not need a lumbar belt or MOLLE attachment webbing, and it still gives you the stretch shock-absorbing tether, the sewn-in lineman's loops, and the 300 lb rating serious hunters expect. The harness, tree strap, and tether cover you once you are at the stand. To stay connected from the moment you leave the ground, as the Malta manual requires, pair the kit with a 30 ft Reflective Lifeline for fixed stands or the lineman's climbing strap included in the Ultralight Hunt Essentials Pack for hanging sets.
Features
Just over 2 lb on your shoulders
Low-profile 1 in webbing, breathable mesh padding, and aluminum hardware bring the harness in at about 2.4 lb, roughly half the weight of a fully padded harness, so it rides under a pack strap or over a jacket without adding bulk.
Stretch shock-absorbing tether with fall indicator
The elasticized tether off the back of the neckline stays short and out of the way in the stand, then stretches to reduce arrest force in a fall. In the Intertek test the fall arrest indicator deployed visibly and permanently on every drop, so a used harness cannot be mistaken for a good one.
Aluminum quick-connect buckles
Lightweight aluminum quick-connect chest and leg buckles snap closed with an audible lock and open fast with gloves on, so you can get in and out of the harness in the dark without slowing down the hunt.
Breathable padding where it counts
Open mesh padding on the back, shoulders, and leg straps moves air on a warm September sit and spreads the load on a long one, without the full padded waist of a heavier harness.
Sewn-in lineman's loops and gear attachment
Lineman's climbing strap loops on each hip take the Malta lineman's climbing strap for hanging stands and sticks. A built-in gear lanyard and gear attachment webbing on the chest hold a release, call, or rangefinder tether.
Quiet materials, complete kit
Soft webbing and low-noise padding keep the harness silent at full draw. Ships with the harness, the 2 in wide HEA1000 tree strap, and the 1 in HEA3000 suspension relief strap that doubles as a deer drag, tested together as a tree stand fall arrest system.
Stay connected from the ground up. Per the Malta Hunting Safety manual, you must be attached to the tree from the moment you leave the ground until you return, using a lifeline or a lineman's climbing strap together with the tree strap and tether. Never connect the harness to any part of the tree stand, climbing sticks, or tree limbs, and never use the suspension relief loop or any accessory loop to secure yourself to the tree. The Ultralight is a single-fall product: after any fall, return it to Malta Dynamics for replacement.
Compliance Standards
ASTM F2337-20
Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems. Intertek (Cortland, New York, ISO 17025 accredited) tested the Ultralight in April 2025 under report 106189222CRT-001, covering models HE2100 through HE2103 and HE3100 through HE3103: feet-first dynamic performance, face-first dynamic performance, dynamic strength with a 350 lb torso, and label requirements all passed. Declaration of Conformity MDL1P0364 (May 18, 2023) records the original ASTM F2337-20 verification under Intertek report 105407749CRT-001.
ASTM F1772-17
Standard Specification for Harnesses for Rescue and Sport Activities. Malta Dynamics Declaration of Conformity MD3P335 (April 23, 2025) declares the Ultralight Harness Kit in conformity with ASTM F1772-17, verified by independent third-party testing at Intertek under report 106152759CRT-001, a Level 3 ISO 17025 laboratory verification.
Manufacturer labels and 5-year retirement
Each harness carries the orange ASTM warning label with the year of manufacture, capacity rating, part number, size, and the required retirement warning. The label set passed section 11.5 of ASTM F2337-20, and the manual sets the service life at five years from the date of purchase.
User requirements
Users must be 16 years old or older and physically and mentally able to adjust, attach, and recover without help. Hunters under 16 must be instructed before each use and accompanied by a supervising adult at all times while climbing, descending, or in the stand. Never exceed the 300 lb total weight limit of hunter plus gear.
Typical Applications
How to Use
Read the Malta Hunting Safety instruction manual and watch the required Ultralight instructional video (QR code in the manual) before the first climb. The sequence below summarizes the manual and does not replace it.
- Inspect. Check the webbing, stitching, both aluminum leg buckles, the waist buckle, the tether, the fall indicator, the tree strap, and the suspension relief strap before every use. Do not climb with any component that is damaged, worn, or not working correctly.
- Don and buckle. Put the harness on and snap the waist buckle closed. Listen for the complete snap, then grab both sides and pull sharply to confirm it is locked. Bring each leg strap between your legs, left strap to left buckle and right strap to right buckle, snap, and pull-test each one with no clothing caught in the buckle.
- Adjust. Slide the waist adjustment bar until the harness is comfortably snug over the clothing you will hunt in, then snug each leg strap. Make large adjustments with the harness off and lying flat, and shake it out by the waist buckle so no strap is twisted.
- Set the tree strap. Wrap the tree strap around the trunk, pass the tail through the loop at the end of the tether, and weave it through the knurled slide bar buckle as shown in the manual, leaving at least 8 in of tail beyond the buckle. Pull it tight to the tree and test it by yanking the tether.
- Height check. Standing on the platform, position the tree strap at or above head level. When you sit, the stretch tether should have no slack between you and the tree. If it does, move the strap higher so you can get back onto the platform after a fall.
- Climb connected. On a climbing stand, attach the tether and tree strap at the ground and advance them with each move. On a fixed stand, use a lifeline or a lineman's climbing strap on the sewn-in loops so you stay attached from the ground up, and stay doubly attached while you step into the stand.
- Carry the relief strap. Keep the suspension relief strap in an easily reached pocket, never clipped to the tether or relief loop in transit. Practice stepping into it near ground level with a responsible adult present before the season.
- Plan the recovery. Carry a whistle, phone, or locator beacon, tell someone where you are hunting, and have a practiced plan to get back to the platform or the ground. After any fall, use the relief strap to stand and keep your legs moving while you wait for help.
Inspection and Retirement
Inspect the harness, tether, buckles, tree strap, and relief strap before each use, per the Malta Hunting Safety manual. Remove the kit from service for any of the following.
- Webbing: cuts, frays, burns, chemical or UV damage, broken fibers, or heavy abrasion anywhere on the 1 in harness webbing, the tether, or the straps.
- Stitching: pulled, cut, or broken stitches at the tether, lineman's loops, relief loop, or any load-bearing seam.
- Buckles and slide bars: cracks, bends, or corrosion in the aluminum quick-connect buckles, buckles that will not snap and lock, or buckles that release under a sharp pull.
- Fall indicator: a deployed indicator on the tether means the harness has arrested a fall and is finished.
- Labels: the tether label with the year of manufacture and capacity must remain attached and legible.
- Age: remove the harness from service five years from the date of purchase (keep your receipt), or five years from the manufacture date printed on the tether label if the harness was bought used or the proof of purchase is lost.
Retirement triggers: any fall, a deployed fall indicator, any of the damage above, or the five-year limit. The Ultralight is designed to arrest a single fall only. After a fall, return the harness to Malta Dynamics for replacement by calling 800-494-1840; a nominal fee applies. Never modify, repair, sew, or cut the harness. Clean with a damp soapy cloth and store dry, out of direct light, away from heat and chemical vapors.
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Technical Specifications
| Type | Lightweight full body tree stand harness kit (tree stand fall arrest system) with stretch shock-absorbing tether, aluminum quick-connect buckles, and sewn-in lineman's loops |
|---|---|
| SKU family | MHE4100. Forest Green: HE4100 (S-M), HE4101 (L-XL), HE4102 (2XL), HE4103 (3XL). TrueTimber Strata: HE3100-1, HE3101-1, HE3102-1, HE3103-1. TrueTimber Kanati: HE2100, HE2101, HE2102, HE2103. TrueTimber Shadowbark: HE5100 (S-M), HE5102 (2XL). The last two digits are the size: 00 S-M, 01 L-XL, 02 2XL, 03 3XL. |
| Capacity | 300 lb maximum user weight including clothing and gear (manufacturer rating) |
| Standard | ASTM F2337-20 Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems (Declaration of Conformity MDL1P0364); ASTM F1772-17 Standard Specification for Harnesses for Rescue and Sport Activities (Declaration of Conformity MD3P335) |
| Test report | Intertek 106189222CRT-001, April 29, 2025 (models HE2100, HE2101, HE2102, HE2103, HE3100, HE3102, HE3103): feet-first drop of a 220 lb torso from 72 in, maximum arrest force 1,784 lbf against an 1,800 lbf limit, torso retained and supported 2 minutes, fall indicator deployed; face-first drop from 72 in passed; dynamic strength drop of a 350 lb torso from 72 in passed with 22.75 in of harness stretch against a 24 in limit; labels passed |
| Materials | 1 in high-strength webbing, breathable mesh padding, aluminum quick-connect buckles, sewn polyester lineman's loops and gear attachment webbing, steel tree strap hardware |
| Buckles | Aluminum quick-connect chest and leg buckles; adjustable slide bar at the waist |
| Tether | Stretch shock-absorbing tether sewn at the rear neckline, adjustable length, with fall arrest indicator and manufacturer date label |
| Padding | Breathable mesh padding at the back, shoulders, and legs; no waist pad or lumbar belt, by design, to save weight |
| Included | One Ultralight harness, one HEA1000 tree strap (2 in wide, 0.6 lb), one HEA3000 suspension relief and deer drag strap (1 in wide, 0.2 lb), printed instructions with a QR link to the required safety video. Lineman's climbing strap and lifeline sold separately or in the Hunt Essentials Pack. |
| Patterns | Forest Green, TrueTimber Kanati, TrueTimber Strata, TrueTimber Shadowbark (Shadowbark in S-M and 2XL only) |
| Sizes | S-M (22 to 46 in waist), L-XL (26 to 49 in), 2XL (30 to 52 in), 3XL (30 to 53 in); see the height and weight chart above |
| Unit weight | Just over 2 lb, harness only (Malta lists 2.4 lb); complete kit ships at about 5 lb |
| Service life | Single-fall product. Remove from service after any fall, after a deployed fall indicator, or five years from the date of purchase (five years from the manufacture date on the tether label without proof of purchase) |
| Manufacturer | Malta Dynamics, LLC, 210 13th Street, Malta, Ohio 43758, sold under the Malta Hunting brand |
| Warranty | 1 year from the date of installation or first use against factory defects in workmanship and materials, original purchaser only (Malta Dynamics) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Malta Hunting Ultralight Harness Submittals and Documentation
Ultralight Harness Spec Sheet (PDF)Key features, part numbers by pattern and size, kit contents, sizing bands, and a summary of the Intertek testing and declarations. Compiled by Fall Protection Distributors from the manufacturer's manual, test report, and declarations. Ultralight ASTM F2337-20 Test Report (PDF)Intertek report 106189222CRT-001, April 2025: feet-first and face-first drops, a dynamic strength drop with a 350 lb torso, 1,784 lbf maximum arrest force, label review. Ultralight Declaration of Conformity (PDF)Malta Dynamics declarations MDL1P0364 (ASTM F2337-20, Intertek 105407749CRT-001) and MD3P335 (ASTM F1772-17, Intertek 106152759CRT-001), both Level 3 independent ISO 17025 laboratory verification. Malta lists the item on both declarations as the Hunter's Elite Ultralight Harness Kit, its internal name for this harness. Malta Hunting Harness Instruction Manual (PDF)Adjusting the harness, tree strap attachment, suspension relief strap, use with climbing, hang-on and ladder stands, safe-use rules, care, and warranty. Malta Hunting Straps Spec Sheet (PDF)Component spec sheet for the included HEA1000 tree strap and HEA3000 suspension relief and deer drag strap, plus the HEA2000 lineman's climbing strap.Compatible and Related Products
- Malta Hunting Ultralight Hunt Essentials Pack. This same harness kit bundled with the 30 ft reflective lifeline and the lineman's climbing strap, everything the manual calls for from the ground up.
- Malta Hunting 30 ft Reflective Lifeline. Prusik lifeline with a twist-lock carabiner for stands up to 25 ft, so you are connected before your boots leave the ground.
- Malta Hunting Two-User 30 ft Reflective Lifeline. Two prusiks and two carabiners on one rope for buddy stands and mentored hunts.
- Malta Hunting Hunter's Elite Tree Stand Harness Kit. The full-featured 300 lb harness kit with a lumbar belt, full padding, and steel buckles for long sits and heavy gear loads.
- Malta Hunting Youth Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit. The same Ultralight construction in one youth size rated to 150 lb for supervised hunters under 16.
- Malta Hunting CORE Tree Stand Harness Kit. The entry-level Coyote Tan harness kit, tested to ASTM F2337-22.
- Malta Hunting Hunter's Elite Hunt Essentials Pack. Hunter's Elite harness kit with lifeline and lineman's strap.
- Malta Hunting CORE Hunt Essentials Pack. CORE harness kit with lifeline and lineman's strap.
- Hunting Safety department. Every Malta Hunting tree stand harness, Hunt Essentials Pack, and lifeline in one place.
Specifying Tree Stand Safety Gear for Your Camp?
Outfitting a hunting camp, a mobile hunting crew, or a lease with several stands? Tell us how many hunters, their sizes, and the stand types, and we will match harness sizes, lifelines, and lineman's straps so every hunter is connected from the ground up and the whole order ships together.
Call 863-703-4522 to talk to a fall protection specialist.
Reviewed October 2026 by Fall Protection Distributors against the Malta Dynamics instruction manual, Declaration of Conformity and Intertek test report linked above.
